MAORI'S MANY WIVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1920, Page 5

MAORI'S MANY WIVES.

DISPUTE OVER HIS ESTATE. SEVERAL WIDOWS CLAIM SHARE&. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Yesterday Judge Gilfedder, in the Native Land Court, heard a most interesting argument concerning the worldly possessions of the late Mr. Henare Kaihau, formerly M.F. for the Western Maori District, who left estate valued at. £20.000. Mr. Kaihau had many wives, and as these widows came forward to apply for a share in the estate, to which they are not' absolutely entitled under the native law, much interesting light was cast upon the marriage customs of Maoris.

Dr. Bamford, with Mr. G. Kent, appeared for the "first" widow of the deceased, and submitted evidence in support of her claim for a share in the estate, as under the native law she could not succeed as a widow only. Counsel also represented six children of the marriage. ' '*"' Mr. J. Sullivan appeared for one Maori widow, and he also represented a son by still another Maoii marriage. In the course, of the case it was necessary to call yet another Maori Widow, but her evidence showed that she waß now debarred fr6m: participation under the native law, as she had married another Maori before Mr. Kaihu'g death. This was shown to have been the case with still another "widow," so she too was debarred from a. share in the estate. During the ease counsel submitted proof of various marriages of the deceased under the Maori custom, which appeared, in the caso of Maoris of rank, to be dependent upon the consent of the parents or the chiefs of the contracting parties, and the acceptance of the bride by the husband's tribe. After - evidence was submitted, the court allowed the "first" widow £l5O per anndm for five years and the use of a house; and one mort> widow was allowed £IOO a year for life; and the remainder of the estate, is itej be divided between seven children." TBlrGpurt appointed the Public .Trustee 'administrator of the estate and trustee of the infant children. ... s '.